2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade had a striking and elegant exterior design that set it apart from earlier Hyundai models. It featured distinctive lines and shapes, from its prominent grille to its crisp shoulder lines and tasteful tailgate. The SUV's profile was visually interesting, highlighted by sculpted wheel arches and a continuous strip of glass surfaces that gave the impression of a floating rear roof. Inside, the Palisade was equally polished, with high-quality materials and finishes adorning every surface. The horizontally arrayed screen and beefy center console anchored the dash, while the second and third rows offered ample space and comfort.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was an attractive crossover with a restrained bodywork design. Its chunky front end made the grille look smaller, providing a refreshing change from the aggressive front fascias common in the industry. The Equinox's thick C-pillar and big windows gave an impression of spaciousness, which was confirmed by the ample passenger space inside. The Premier trim featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the interior looked a bit dated compared to some competitors, with a small touchscreen and lots of plastic buttons. Despite this, the Equinox was practical, approachable, and easy to use.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 gasoline engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine featured gasoline direct injection, dual variable valve timing, and Atkinson-cycle capability, along with auto-stop-and-go settings to reduce idle time. The Palisade's fuel efficiency was estimated at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for FWD models and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined for AWD models. The SUV handled nicely, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes or up to 1,650 pounds without.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, on the other hand, was equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration well, it struggled to accelerate above 30 miles per hour. The Equinox featured a six-speed automatic transmission, which held gears longer than newer transmissions, contributing to the car's powertrain noise. The AWD system required manual engagement via a button on the center console. The Equinox's braking system was upgraded to an electronically assisted brake-by-wire system, providing smooth and predictable braking. The suspension handled bumps and potholes well, and the steering was tight and accurate.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade offered comfortable seating and easy access throughout the cabin. The third row had cupholders on each side, while the second-row captain's chairs were comfortable and spacious. The front row featured ample storage, including two compartments in the center console, a locking glove box, and door panel bottle holders. Luggage space measured 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The Palisade also had an underfloor storage compartment and roof rails that could hold up to 220 pounds of cargo. The gear selector was a compact shift-by-wire setup, and the controls were logically arranged. The Limited and Calligraphy trims offered high-end luxury features, such as a dual-panel sunroof, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and premium Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox had a cargo area measuring 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While this was less than some competitors, it was still ample for most needs. Passenger space was generous, with plenty of headroom and legroom for a six-foot-tall driver and rear passengers. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, cup holders for every passenger, a decently sized center console bin, and good door pockets. The Premier trim came with a nearly silent power liftgate.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess. The standard display audio system on SE and SEL models featured an 800 x 480 resolution screen, while the Limited and Calligraphy models had a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen and a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Palisade had multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and several power outlets. The Limited and Calligraphy trims also featured a head-up display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox's technology offering was simpler but effective. The LS, LT, and RS trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Premier trim had an 8-inch screen. The infotainment system was easy to use, with good voice recognition software and customizable icons. All trim levels included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. The Premier trim also had a wireless charging pad. The upgraded driver-information display on the LT, RS, and Premier trims offered useful features, such as music, navigation, and trip computer information.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade came with a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features. Passive safety features included seven airbags, three-point seat belts for all seating positions, LATCH anchors and tethers, active head restraints, and more. Standard active safety features included anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox also included a suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems, such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection and braking, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure assistance, and automatic high beams. However, it did not offer genuine level two autonomous driving technology. The Equinox received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test and marginally in the side-impact crash test.